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59th Anniversary of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb, August 9, 2004
Peace Declaration
By Iccho Itoh, Mayor of Nagasaki
How many people in the world now remember that fateful day? At
11:02 a.m. on August 9, fifty-nine years ago, the city of Nagasaki
was instantly transformed into ruins by a single atomic bomb
dropped from an American warplane, killing some 74,000 people and
wounding 75,000. Today, Nagasaki's verdant cityscape attracts
visitors from around the world, and its residents maintain a
distinctive set of traditions and culture. Nevertheless, the city's
increasingly elderly atomic bomb survivors continue to suffer from
the after-effects of the bombing as well as from health problems
induced by the stress of their experience. We the citizens of
Nagasaki call upon the world with a renewed sense of urgency, even
as we reflect upon the intense suffering of those who have already
perished.
We call upon the citizens of the United States to look squarely at
the reality of the tragedies that have unfolded in the wake of the
atomic bombings 59 years ago. The International Court of Justice
has clearly stated in an advisory opinion that the threat of
nuclear weapons or their use is generally contrary to international
law. Notwithstanding, the US government continues to possess and
maintain approximately 10,000 nuclear weapons, and is conducting an
ongoing program of subcritical nuclear testing. In addition, the
so-called mini nuclear weapons that are the subject of new
development efforts are intended to deliver truly horrific levels
of force. In terms of the radioactivity that such weapons would
release, there would be no difference compared to the bomb dropped
on Nagasaki. So long as the world's leading superpower fails to
change its posture of dependence on nuclear weapons, it is clear
that the tide of nuclear proliferation cannot be stemmed. People of
America: The path leading to the eventual survival of the human
race unequivocally requires the elimination of nuclear arms. The
time has come to join hands and embark upon this path.
We call upon the peoples of the world to recognize how scant is
the value repeatedly being placed on human life, evidenced by
events such as the war in Iraq and outbreaks of terrorism. Wisdom
must prevail, and we must join together in enhancing and
reinforcing the functions of the United Nations in order to resolve
international conflicts, not by military force, but through
concerted diplomatic efforts. Next year will be the 60th
anniversary of the atomic bombings, coinciding with the 2005 NPT
Review Conference to be held at UN headquarters. With the approach
of the coming year, let there be a convergence among the citizens
of the world, NGOs, and all concerned parties who desire peace, so
that the way may be opened for the elimination of those symbols of
inhumanity known as nuclear weapons.
We call upon the government of Japan to safeguard the peaceful
underpinnings of its constitution, and, as the only nation ever to
have experienced nuclear attack, to enact into law the threefold
non-nuclear principle. The combination of the threefold non-nuclear
principle with nuclear disarmament on the Korean Peninsula will
pave the road towards the creation of a Northeast Asia
nuclear-weapon-free zone. At the same time, the specifics of the
Pyongyang Declaration must be agreed upon, while Japan itself must
also pursue an independent security stance that does not rely on
nuclear arms.
We call upon the world's youth to study the reality of the atomic
bombings and to internalize a sense of respect for life, as our
young people are doing in Nagasaki. The enthusiasm and hope
manifested by youth who have considered the requirements of peace
and are acting accordingly will serve to enlighten an increasingly
confused world. Individuals who arise to take action close at hand
can and will foster the realization of world peace and the
abolition of nuclear weapons.
We in Nagasaki will continue to share our experiences of the
atomic bombing of our city, and will work to make Nagasaki a center
for peace studies and peace promotion. It is our hope that we will
thus be able to form bonds of friendship and solidarity with people
throughout the world.
Today, on the 59th anniversary of the atomic bombing, as we pray
for the repose of those who died and recall to mind their
suffering, we the citizens of Nagasaki pledge our commitment to the
realization of true peace in the world, free from nuclear
weapons.
August 9, 2004
Source:
http://www1.city.nagasaki.nagasaki.jp/abm/
abm_e/heiwasengen/sengen_main.html
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© 2003 The Acronym Institute.
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